Since the beginning of time, we’ve been able to appreciate color. We adore all of the colors that nature has to offer, whether that means gazing out over a mountain view, staring at a vast ocean, or witnessing the changing color of the trees during the autumn months. But have you ever asked yourself why you love certain colors? What is it about certain bright colors that make you feel happy or muted colors that can make you feel drained?
For hundreds of years, psychologists have theorized on the power of color regarding feelings and emotions. Here is the big question: can colors actually bring about certain feelings and moods in us? The best answer to that question is: yes. The use of emotion-evoking colors is actually all around us on a daily basis. Colors are strategically used in restaurant decor, TV Ads, billboards, business logos, and more. So, with the knowledge that color has the power to evoke certain moods in us, would that affect the colors that you pick out for your home? In this two-part blog, we’re going to discuss the psychology of some of the colors that you might be considering to be painted in your home.
White
Since this is, perhaps, the most common color to adorn the walls of our homes, we’ll start with the color white. White and versions of white are widely used in decorating and commonly sought after in paint colors. But what could the color white make us feel on a subconscious level? There are lots of theories on this: Real estate agencies often choose white for staging rooms because, due mostly to its light reflecting abilities, can give the appearance of spaciousness by making rooms feel bigger. Hospitals choose the color white because it gives off the tone of sterility and cleanliness.
Here are a few of the positive attributes that white can carry with it:
- Cleanliness
- Simplicity
- Spaciousness
- Innocence
As charming as white can be, there may be a few negative connotations. In addition to the above-mentioned possibilities, white could also imply some of the following:
- Coldness
- Blandness
- Drabness
- Unfriendly
- Isolated
Though white is a classic choice for paint in many of our homes, make sure that you’re sending the right messages with the colors that you choose. If you love white but you want to add some warmth or color, consider pairing your white walls with colorful art or furniture.
Brown
Often being ranked fairly low on the average lists of adult favorite colors, brown may seem like an underdog, but browns can hold their own. Brown is often associated with trust, dependability, and assurance. It’s often seen as solid and natural, probably because of its connection to so many colors found in nature. It may be surprising to learn that brown is actually used quite a bit in product marketing.
Here are some of the positive connotations regarding brown:
- Strength
- Resilience
- Warmth
- Reliability
- Down-To-Earth
- Sophisticated
Additionally, just like with white, brown can have some negatives:
- Loneliness
- Sadness
- Isolation
- Vastness
- Emptiness.
If you have lots of browns in your decor, make sure that you find ways to break up the monotony with brighter colors. Also, avoid your brown themed rooms from feeling boring by adding plenty of whites and lighter colors.
Red
We tend to love the color red. When women wear red, we usually feel a little bit sexier, even if it’s just a little bit of red lipstick, a red color-pop can instantly change our look and affect how we feel. It’s clean, crisp, and instantly draws the eye. As much as we love red in our wardrobe and makeup choices, we also tend to love red in our home decor. And what’s not to love? The color red can make us think of many things that we love like Christmas and Valentines Day. Additionally, red can be a strong color that evokes strong emotions in us and is often associated with love, warmth, and comfort.
Red’s positive attributes include:
- Passion
- Energy
- Warmth
- Confidence
- Power
Negatives:
- Anger
- Intensity
- Control
- Irritable
If you’re considering using red paint in your home, make sure that you choose a red tone that won’t overwhelm you with its brightness. Additionally, if you love red but aren’t quite ready to commit to painting an entire wall, start with some red accessories or curtains.
Choosing the right paint for your home can be daunting, and it can be easy to overthink it, but painting your home can be super exciting and fun! You get to put your own personality and taste into what your home looks and feels like. If you’re needing some help and advice from the experts, give our guys a call at Fresh Paint on Demand. We love serving the Vancouver area and would love to give you a free estimate.